Talk to me about open university

[ForeverStudent]

Name changed for this as will be discussing in real life too at some point, but a regular poster.

I am interested in maybe either doing another undergraduate degree or perhaps even a masters and maybe even go for a phd.

I have 2 other undergraduate degrees already. But it’s been a good while since I was last a student and that’s why I’m pondering another undergraduate first to sort of ease me back in?

But really I would love to get to phd level if I can.

Subject areas I’m considering are:

English (what my last undergrad was in and so I’d be looking at post grad for this)

Classical studies, history, marketing or law (I have law up to A-level already plus some work experience in this area)

Not especially from a career perspective at this stage more personal development but combining the 2 would seem sensible possibly.

I know I’m all over the place!

I would need to do a course/s that are online/distance learning as I’m out in the sticks without reliable transport.

I’ve no experience with OU so would love to hear all opinions and experiences, and any tips and hints would be good too.

I have contacted them but it’s taking them a while to get back to me and I’m impatient and keen

So I thought why not ask here and get a feel for things

I would go straight for the Masters degree if you qualify. The online materials will be good and you will be able to get back into good study habits quite fast. No point wasting time with another undergraduate degree.
They short access courses that run often if you can't wait to get started.
The OU is one of the greatest institutions we have. In fact I am going to look up masters degrees right now!

I completed an undergraduate degree with the OU last year. The course materials are outstanding and across the 6 modules all the tutors were brilliant, apart from one that was a bit average. I would recommend them to anyone - also I got a First with them which I was very pleased with. Honestly, I couldn't fault them. The online materials and the system of submitting assignments and getting feedback are excellent, very easy to navigate your way around.

I am currently doing a History Masters. The course has a very high drop out rate which says a lot. It was going to be completely rewritten but I think thats been delayed by strikes and COVID for at least another year. I think in terms of value for money its not great and there have been a series of big admin mix ups which are pretty annoying. However it was the one of a very very few places that did a History MA when I signed up and I didn't want to do C20th history/Holocaust/Colonialism which was all I could find elsewhere. So its OK, the subject material is quite interesting and some of it is great. But quality/input on Study Days and from Tutors is very variable - I think the tutors are just overloaded with work and get the impression that undergrads are prioritised as they bring in more money. If you do it I would set aside a fair bit of money to attend the study days - which will sometimes require hotel stays as well as travel at Masters Level. I'm from Hampshire and I've been to study days in London (Twice), Birmingham and Leeds. Doing the course by distance learning you do really miss interaction with others but the Study Days are great at helping to reduce that.

I did an OU undergrad but did my master's with another university but still distance learning. Have you looked at other universities?

I would agree with PP to go straight for the masters. It isn't a huge leap form undergrad.

Also, check out online reviews of any that you might study with.

I'm one module away from completing my open degree. I know that isn't in your area of interest but I have been with ou for almost seven years and although it has been brilliant there have been many changes.
My first two years I had face to face tutorials at my local big college, these were fantastic. Since then my closest has been London, which is a fair distance for a two hour tutorial.
Saying that, my grades have not been affected but it has been lonely. Secondly, the introduction of a Facebook ou has stopped many many (all but one other student on my last module) from engaging with the tutor group forums, sometimes you need to show engagement with others for marks towards your grade. I'm not on fb and I feel I should have to join when there's a fantastic forum on our actual university's page.
Resources are great.
Support staff are great.
Tutors vary, but I would assume that's across the board.
OU is great for me, I was able to continue working, plan my wedding and have a baby whilst still studying. It's a huge commitment and a study routine is key in my opinion.
Best of luck.

Ooh a short access course to get back into things sounds a good idea!

Re actually doing the work and submitting I’m a bit limited on IT at the moment as laptop recently died and I’ve not been able to replace yet for various reasons. I have a tablet and iPhone though would they suffice?

Do you have to attend the study days? I would struggle with that I am really looking for something that’s completely remote learning/online. I’m wondering if they might be reworking study days to occur via online meet-ups due to covid.

Actually glad it’s not all positives in the replies I want to know the pros AND the cons

I haven’t looked at other universities “d’oh” on my part I forgot other unis also do distance learning. Is it a case of going on individual university websites or is there anywhere that collates all the courses and info?

One of my reasons for wanting to do some study is to bring some structure into my life. I haven’t any at the moment and it’s throwing me out of sorts. I think it would be good for me.

The main reason though is I’m not working at the moment (but I do have access to funds to pay for this that’s not an issue) and I feel like my brain is turning to mush! There’s only so much Netflix and mn a person can do

But going to uni in “real life” isn’t an option either.

Don’t really want to go into too much detail there hope that’s ok?

I never went to a study day, they've phased them out and they are mostly online tutorials. They are usually scheduled when a TMA has been set. There are options for dates and times for online tutorials and if you can't attend, you just watch the recording. You aren't obligated to attend any study days in person in the unlikely event that there even are any. Before you sign up for any course, it will tell you whether there are any compulsory days. I think if you want to use a tablet, I'd get a separate keyboard for it. I'd never be able to type an assignment on a touch screen.

I reckon you've got to be really disciplined! I had to finish my degree at home due to covid and could I be arsed? obviously I did finish it but had to seriously kick myself up the arse.

Also you need 85%+ for a first

Thanks re info on study days

Yes I realise I’d need to be self disciplined but I think I’d be ok with that

I think it may vary by course. For history you do need a good laptop. Unless you want to spend a lot of time in local archives and at local university libraries then you spend a lot of time on online databases. If you are looking at spending over £6k for a masters £500 for a new laptop isn't a lot.

Study days aren't compulsory, however online support varies. The replacement stuff put online doesn't cover everything at the study days. In my cohort very few people engage with the online forums etc so a lot of that doesn't work well.

I have enjoyed it, there have just been certain aspects that have been very frustrating. There is a Facebook group for the history MA where you can ask questions from current students. Im sure there will be the same for other courses so you can get more information- for example you wouldn't know from the History MA description that the workload is really unbalanced with lots of big deadlines at the end of the course in the lead up to Christmas.

I'm currently doing a undergraduate degree with OU and I think they are fantastic.